Che Fruit (seedless)
Cudrania tricuspidataSeedless Che is a small rounded fall-fruiting ornamental tree. Grafted on Osage orange to prevent suckering, these are superior trees. Bears splendid crop of lovely red fruit clusters over the entire tree. A center of attention at ripening time. Fully ripe fruits are juicy, sweet, very pleasant and fig-like in taste. Birds don't bother the fruits. Completely seedless and self fertile, does not need a male pollinator. Makes great "fig" preserves. Space 14' circle. Zones 6-9. May be hardy in the north, but no info is available on how well the fruit ripens.
| Plant Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Pest Resistance | Excellent |
| Disease Resistance | Excellent |
| Drought Tolerance | Very Good |
| Heat Tolerance | Excellent |
| Humidity Tolerance | Excellent |
| Sun Tolerance | Excellent |
| Wet Soil Tolerance | Fair |
| Shade Tolerance | Fair |
| No Spray | Excellent |
| Salt Tolerance | Good |
| Fun for Kids | Very Good |
| Deer Resistance | Good |
| Thorns | No |
| Plant Type | Tree |
| Soil Type | Adaptable |
| Edible Type | Fruit |
| Self Fertile | Yes |
| this information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, comments/opinions are always welcome | |
Che Fruit Care Guide
The Che Fruit - Cudrania tricuspidata (Mandarin Melon Berry)
We include Che with our mulberry care guide because they are relatives in the same family. Like mulberries they are easy to grow & no spraying is necessary. They are very ornamental in shape, leaf and fruit. Their cropping habit is splendid.
We graft Che on Osage Orange (which is another relative) because Che on its own roots can sucker. On Osage trees are single trunked.
Che in China are also called the 'Silkworm tree'. Like the mulberry Che's leaves are the primary food for silkworm.
Che' trees are rounded small trees probably 25' high and the same width if left to grow for about 30 years.
The Chinese keep them small for the silk industry, so they can be cultivated as a small tree or bush.
Placement of the tree should be in the open or along side of small trees like Filberts or Apples. Planting in general is easy. There's no fuss with soil types, they'll thrive from Virginia south into middle Florida. To ripen the fruit, hot summers are best. In zone 6 (Front Royal, VA) they ripen in late September or October. We have noticed fruit on the male too. More about that will be passed on as we learn more. It seems the male only sets sparsely if at all.
For the 1st few years keep weeds and grass away from the plant and water when necessary.
